SUMMER SUN PORRIDGE FUN DREAMS

6 Porridges for Summer

Time Taken: Ten minutes max

Ingredients: Half a mug of oats, a glug of milk, 2 tablespoons of flaxseed (optional) & then exciting summer toppings SEE BELOW.

Hi readers,

What is it right now? It’s Monday evening. And so, if you’re reading this, you’ve survived Monday oncemore! Whoooooo! Take a hearty pat on the back. Good job! Well done, indeed. I think, every week, that it’s a minor miracle when so many people battle through Monday with any kind of gusto. On Monday, it’s not the weekend anymore. You miss the weekend just gone, really a lot, and the next weekend seems so distant. Despair’s a regular feature of Mondays. But high five, readers, for your continuing survival! Today, you have achieved.

And today, readers, I’m feeling in between. On the one hand, we’re almost done with March and summer doesn’t seem all that far away. But AT THE SAME TIME it’s still not Easter. Still. Not. Lent continues and the weather’s cold and shit. Spring feels tired today. Or maybe that’s just me. For sure though, Sheffield’s not looking it’s best. The city has a strong tendency towards miserable drizzle and today the drizzle is just RAINING DOWN.

Readers, I hope hope hope that the sun is shining where you are. That you’re wearing shorts and flipslops and shades. That it’s warm enough for a Cornetto without risking hypothermia. That your life today has been a vision of summer. I hope! However, as this really isn’t the case for anyone in England at least, my blog today is going to CHEER. PEOPLE. UP.

Readers STEP ONE… I want you to think of 5 things that have been good today, which you’re grateful for.

Mine

(1)

Brands.

At home today there’s been Alpen…. Nescafe… Quorn… treats galore!

(2)

Headphones.

Mine are new and with them I can HEAR music again. Life is good.

(3)

Shut-in.

I didn’t have to go anywhere today or spend time with people.

(4)

Shower.

The water at home is consistently warm and I don’t pay for it.

And (5)

Family.

I’m at home and spending time with the fam is making me very happy.

And only after you have a proper 5 (give it a think!) STEP TWO is to play a song that reminds you of summer. I think we all have one! Am I right? C’mon now! There has to be a song that followed you last summer? One your foot tapped to from your deck chair? Soundtrack to last year’s barbecues? Your festival highlight?? Stick it on!

Finally, readers, STEP THREE is to check out the following recipe. Here I’m to share with you once more, readers, my ultimate recipe for a bear-sized bowl of porridge BUT this time with suggestions on how you can carry porridge through to summer. It isn’t just for winter! Oh no no. Porridge, for me, is to be enjoyed all year round. ERRRRRRR damn month.

And the key to enjoying porridge even when it’s summer, readers? IS FRUIT. Here’s how you make fruity porridge in summer, readers, in just ten easy steps…

1. Shuffle about and gather together your milk, your porridge oats, a bowl, a tablespoon and a mug.

2. Half fill your mug with oats.

3. Tip the oats into your bowl.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: If you have any flaxseed, add a couple of tablespoons now. This is a power ingredients which helps with digestion! Also, it makes porridge super thick.

4. Pour milk into your bowl until the bowl is two thirds full and your oats are swimming.

5. Stir your oats and milk together. Stay awake.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: When you aren't using it, rest your spoon in your mug so that you don’t get milk on the kitchen side.

6. Pop your bowl into the microwave and heat for 2 minutes.

PLAN 1: Raisin

7. When the microwave pings, take out your bowl and spoon 1 tablespoon of brown sugar over your porridge.

8. Next, spoon 2 tablespoons of raisins over your porridge.

9. Stir it up! Pop your porridge back in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour yourself an OJ and keep an eye on the porridge in the microwave.

10. When either the microwave pings or you see your porridge expanding to the top of the bowl, take out your porridge. Stir it up! Get your porridge and your juice. Shuffle towards a comfy seat.

PLAN 2: Strawberry

7. Sit a few strawberries on a square of kitchen towel. Chop their tops off and then cut into quarters.

8. When the microwave pings, take out your bowl and spoon a few blobs of strawberry jam on top of your porridge.

9. Stir it up! Pop your porridge back in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour yourself an OJ and keep an eye on the porridge in the microwave.

10. When either the microwave pings or you see your porridge expanding to the top of the bowl, take out your porridge. Stir it up! Top with your bits of strawberry. Get your porridge and your juice. Shuffle towards a comfy seat.

PLAN 3: Apricot

7. Sit a few dried apricots on a square of kitchen towel. Cut them into quarters.

8. When the microwave pings, take out your bowl and spoon a few blobs of apricot jam on top of your porridge. Tip your pieces of dried apricot into the bowl.

9. Stir it up! Pop your porridge back in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour yourself an OJ and keep an eye on the porridge in the microwave.

10. When either the microwave pings or you see your porridge expanding to the top of the bowl, take out your porridge. Get your porridge and your juice. Shuffle towards a comfy seat.

PLAN 4: Raspberry

7. When the microwave pings, take out your bowl and spoon a few blobs of raspberry jam on top of your porridge.

8. Stir it up! Pop your porridge back in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour yourself an OJ and keep an eye on the porridge in the microwave.

9. When either the microwave pings or you see your porridge expanding to the top of the bowl, take out your porridge. Stir it up!

10. Take a handful of raspberries and dot them about on top of your porridge. Get your porridge and your juice. Shuffle towards a comfy seat.

PLAN 5: Banana

7. Peel a banana and sit it on a square of kitchen towel. Slice your banana up.

8. When the microwave pings, take out your bowl and spoon a tablespoon of honey over your porridge.

9. Stir it up! Pop your porridge back in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour yourself an OJ and keep an eye on the porridge in the microwave.

10. When either the microwave pings or you see your porridge expanding to the top of the bowl, take out your porridge. Chuck your banana into the bowl. Stir it up! Get your porridge and your juice. Shuffle towards a comfy seat.

AND PLAN 6: Chocolate Orange

7. Sit an orange on a square of kitchen towel and slice it in half.

8. When the microwave pings, take out your bowl and spoon a few blobs of chocolate spread on top of your porridge. Squeeze both halves of your orange so that the juice goes into the bowl.

9. Stir it up! Pop your porridge back in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour yourself an OJ and keep an eye on the porridge in the microwave.

10. When either the microwave pings or you see your porridge expanding to the top of the bowl, take out your porridge. Stir it up! Get your porridge and your juice. Shuffle towards a comfy seat.

And readers… that’s it. Porridge. With fruit. For summer.

Here’s some strawberry porridge of mine (SEE PLAN 2) …

And I think, even if it’s sub zero and raining sideways outside, that adding a little colour and fruit to your bowl at breakfast… makes the day feel just a little bit summery. Do you, readers? What do you think? I hope that you’re inspired by my recipes and that you have a go at jazzing up your bowls of porridge. Remember, to always start the day right! And then the sun will be shining inside you, at least.

Readers, share your thoughts with me about these summer recipes. Please do. And send your recipes my way, too! What should I try next with my porridge?? Exciting times.

 

Breakfast safely,

Hayley